Taunton man who stabbed, assaulted victim sentenced in Fall River court

A 29-year-old Taunton man, who sucker-punched and stabbed an unarmed victim in Taunton last May, was sentenced to serve five to seven years in state prison earlier this week, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Tomas Ortiz pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon—causing serious bodily injury and assault and battery.

On May 26, 2018, Taunton Police were called to Morton Hospital after a stabbing victim arrived with multiple stab wounds to his torso. The victim received 49 staples to close his wounds.

Police investigation revealed that the victim and his friend were at Bobby’s Place in Taunton when two males entered the establishment and tried to pick a fight with the victim. A verbal altercation ensued, at which point security personnel at Bobby’s Place ejected the entire group from this establishment. Video surveillance obtained from a nearby business showed that the defendant sucker-punched the victim while the victim was engaged in an argument with another male. The victim and the defendant traded blows before the defendant pulled a knife and began slashing and stabbing at the victim. The defendant then returned to his vehicle and drove off.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeanne Veenstra and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Renee Dupuis.

“I am pleased the defendant was held accountable for the unprovoked stabbing of the victim. This is senseless violence committed by a defendant who has already served prison time for a serious drug offense.”